This presentation was recently given at the 2007 NCSS National Convention in San Diego. The session will provide a variety of practical projects, engaging assignments, online activities, and other resources that can be immediately implemented to increase student achievement.
Participants will be given descriptions of engaging assignments that illustrate entrepreneurship, scarcity, government regulation, productivity, utility, and other related topics.
A resource list will be provided with websites that increase student understanding of supply and demand, the stock market, and the Federal Reserve.
First day hooks:
Scarcity intro - Place an iPod in the middle of the class and ask the class to decide who deserves to own it.
Go to sharperimage.com and ask students to rank pre-selected items. Students report their rankings and are then given the opportunity to trade. Rankings are then again reported to see the change in value.
20 question quiz: Economics 101. Student responses at the beginning and end of the semester are compared.
Show a clip of Alan Greenspan on the first day and ask students to write down what he said in their own words.
Engaging Activities:
Paperclip activity - United States vs. Vietnam. Students divide themselves into two groups. Constrictions are put on the United States (rubber gloves, safety masks, etc.) to show comparative advantages.
Lifeboat – A ship is sinking and 6 people from 12 must be chosen based on short bios. This activity teaches opportunity costs and trade-offs.
Students create political cartoons. If students are not great artists, selected images are made available.
Business portfolios – Floor plans are provided. Students must consider local resources, etc. to create business proposals. Local bankers come into the classroom to rate the presentations.
Internet games and simulations:
Virtual Stock Exchange
Lemonade Stand
Izzit.org – daily current events involving economics
Desert Island Trading Game
The Chairman Game
www.startheregoplaces.com
School District: West Shore
Email: denders@wssd.k12.pa.us
This presentation was recently given at the 2007 NCSS National Convention in San Diego. The session will provide a variety of practical projects, engaging assignments, online activities, and other resources that can be immediately implemented to increase student achievement.
Participants will be given descriptions of engaging assignments that illustrate entrepreneurship, scarcity, government regulation, productivity, utility, and other related topics.
A resource list will be provided with websites that increase student understanding of supply and demand, the stock market, and the Federal Reserve.
BLOG:
First day hooks:
Scarcity intro - Place an iPod in the middle of the class and ask the class to decide who deserves to own it.
Go to sharperimage.com and ask students to rank pre-selected items. Students report their rankings and are then given the opportunity to trade. Rankings are then again reported to see the change in value.
20 question quiz: Economics 101. Student responses at the beginning and end of the semester are compared.
Show a clip of Alan Greenspan on the first day and ask students to write down what he said in their own words.
Engaging Activities:
Paperclip activity - United States vs. Vietnam. Students divide themselves into two groups. Constrictions are put on the United States (rubber gloves, safety masks, etc.) to show comparative advantages.
Lifeboat – A ship is sinking and 6 people from 12 must be chosen based on short bios. This activity teaches opportunity costs and trade-offs.
Students create political cartoons. If students are not great artists, selected images are made available.
Business portfolios – Floor plans are provided. Students must consider local resources, etc. to create business proposals. Local bankers come into the classroom to rate the presentations.
Internet games and simulations:
Virtual Stock Exchange
Lemonade Stand
Izzit.org – daily current events involving economics
Desert Island Trading Game
The Chairman Game
www.startheregoplaces.com
Internet Resources
www.youtube.com